A GRIEVING family have said their last goodbye to Ffion Wyn Roberts, whose strangled body was found dumped in a ditch last month.

More than 500 people joined Ffion's parents Idris and Bethan, and younger brother Elgan, during the emotional 45-minute service at Capel Salem, Porthmadog, on Saturday.

Hundreds more lined the street outside as shops closed and traffic was halted as a mark of respect for the 22-year-old care worker, whose body was found just yards from her home.

Police arrested Idris and Elgan Roberts for questioning in connection with Ffion's death last Tuesday.

However, the 52-year-old delivery driver and part-time barman was released the following day and late on Thursday night Elgan, 20, was also freed, with both remaining on police bail.

As the coffin arrived in the chapel Elgan kissed and hugged his sobbing mum. He sat alongside his mum and grandfather Hughie, comforting both during the service.

Rev Iwan Llewelyn Jones, who led the service, said: “The last few weeks have been terribly difficult in the history of the town and we cannot as a congregation imagine the hell you are going through as a family.”

A family tribute read by Mr Jones described Ffion as “a livewire in the community, full of joy and laughter, kindness and love towards everybody including her family”.

It added: “Wherever she was you knew she was there.”

As her coffin emerged from the chapel, the sound of Leona Lewis’ Footprints In The Sand echoed from loudspeakers.

As the hearse drove away, complete silence fell as hundreds lining the main street, some weeping, paid their own farewell to Ffion.

One man said: "It was an eerie silence I've never experienced in Porthmadog."

Ffion was last seen alive at 3.30am on April 10 leaving the Union pub in nearby village of Tremadog after a friend’s birthday party. She was found in Y Cyt, a drainage ditch, later that day by people looking for a lost pet.

An inquest has heard she was strangled with a ligature and drowned.

Forensic experts have examined the Roberts’ home and taken away the family car for tests.

Tributes have been left at the spot where her body was found and a cherry tree has been planted in her memory. More than 5,700 people have paid their own tributes on a social networking website.

Ffion’s family have previously spoken of their heartbreak at her brutal death.

In a statement issued by police, her parents said: “We cannot begin to describe how the events of our daughter’s death have affected this family.

“We are not able to put into words how heartbroken we all are and how our lives have been destroyed.”